FBI Fingerprinting in Madrid: How Americans in Spain Can Get Their Background Check Done

Living in Madrid as an American often means dealing with U.S. documentation requirements from abroad. One of the most common is the FBI Identity History Summary, needed for Digital Nomad Visas, employment, residency applications, professional licensing, and more.

Many Americans assume they need to travel back to the U.S. to complete this process. That is not the case. FBI fingerprinting in Madrid can be completed locally, provided the fingerprints are taken in person on the correct forms by a trained associate and submitted properly (as per guidelines) to the FBI.

This blog covers when you need an FBI background check in Spain, how the process works from start to finish, what documents you need, and what to watch out for to avoid delays.

An FBI Identity History Summary is the official U.S. background check document issued directly by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It reflects an individual's interactions with U.S. law enforcement and confirms whether a criminal history exists or whether the record is clear.

This document is issued by the FBI, not by any fingerprinting agency or third-party company. The role of a fingerprinting service is to collect ink fingerprints on official FBI-compliant cards and coordinate their submission. The FBI independently processes the submission and issues the Identity History Summary.

The check is based on fingerprints, which means identity is verified through biometric data rather than name alone. This prevents false matches and ensures the result reflects the correct individual's record.

The summary can be delivered electronically or by mail. For international use, it may need to be apostilled or accompanied by a certified translation, depending on the requirements of the Spanish authority or employer requesting it.

Visa Applications and Renewals

Yes, FBI fingerprinting in Madrid is possible. The key requirement is that fingerprints must be taken in person by a trained and authorized person on official FBI-compliant fingerprint cards, either the FD-258 or FD-1164. Once completed, the fingerprint cards can be used to apply for an FBI Identity History Summary Check through the FBI or an authorized channeler, depending on the applicant's eligibility and submission method. 

Local police stations in Madrid do not handle FBI-specific fingerprint forms. Using an unverified provider risks submitting prints on incorrect cards or with poor ink quality, both of which lead to rejection and delays.

Two valid government-issued photo IDs are required. At least one must include your full name, date of birth, photograph, and signature. A valid passport and a national identity card or driver's license are the most commonly accepted combination. Photocopies of both IDs are required for submission purposes.

You will also need any reference documents provided by the authority requesting the background check, such as a visa application reference number, employer letter, or licensing body instructions.

Poor fingerprint quality is the most common reason FBI submissions are delayed or returned. A few simple steps before your appointment make a real difference.

Wash your hands thoroughly before attending. Avoid applying any lotion, cream, or oil to your hands on the day of the appointment, as residue causes smudging. If you have cuts, blisters, or bandages on your fingers, let the associate know in advance. Keeping your hands relaxed during the session produces cleaner impressions than tensing your fingers.

Your associate will check each print before completing the session. If any impression is not clear enough, it will be retaken before the cards are finalised. Getting this right at the collection stage saves you weeks of additional waiting time.

For most Spanish visa and residency applications, the FBI Identity History Summary must be apostilled before it is accepted by Spanish authorities. Spain is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, and the United States also participates in the Convention, meaning apostille is the standard method for authenticating U.S. documents for use in Spain.

An apostille confirms the document was issued by a recognised U.S. authority. Without it, Spanish immigration offices, employers, or licensing bodies may not accept the document.

If the requesting authority also requires the document in Spanish, a sworn translation by a certified translator is required alongside the apostilled original. Check the exact requirements with the authority that has requested the document before proceeding, as requirements vary depending on the visa category or application type.

For Americans in Madrid, the FBI Identity History Summary is rarely a standalone requirement. Spanish visa categories, such as the Digital Nomad Visa and Non-Lucrative Visa, require the document to be apostilled and, in some cases, accompanied by a certified Spanish translation before it is accepted by Spanish authorities. Managing these requirements alongside the fingerprinting process from abroad is where most applicants lose time.

Globeia supports the full process through a single point of contact, from fingerprint collection in Madrid to submission coordination and apostille or translation support where needed.

The process begins with Globeia's SmartForm, where your details and documentation requirements are reviewed before the appointment takes place, catching inconsistencies early rather than after submission. 

A trained associate then collects your ink fingerprints on official FD-258 or FD-1164 cards, with quality checked on-site so unclear prints are retaken immediately rather than discovered as a problem weeks later. 

Identity is verified at the appointment using two valid government-issued documents. Face ID verification is completed before the appointment is confirmed as part of Globeia's standard security process, and a Letter of Authentication is issued afterwards confirming the process was completed correctly. 

For Madrid specifically, where Spanish authorities typically require both an apostille and a certified Spanish translation alongside the FBI result, Globeia coordinates both through the designated competent government authority and authorised translation providers handled as part of the same process rather than left for you to arrange separately.

Important notes: Globeia is not an FBI-accredited channeler. Globeia Inc. in the USA handles the coordination and submission of ink fingerprint cards. The FBI independently verifies and issues all results. Globeia does not directly apostille official government documents and does not perform apostille services on behalf of any government authority. All apostille and authentication requests are submitted to the designated competent government authority on your behalf.

Americans living in Madrid who need an FBI background check do not need to fly back to the United States. The process can be completed locally through professional ink fingerprint collection on official FBI-compliant cards, followed by mailing those cards to an authorised processing office in the United States for submission to the FBI.

The key to a smooth process is getting the fingerprints right the first time, having the correct documents ready, and applying well ahead of any deadlines. If your Identity History Summary needs an apostille or certified Spanish translation for use with Spanish authorities, that can be coordinated as part of the process.

If you are an American in Madrid and need to get your FBI background check completed, contact Globeia to book your fingerprinting appointment.